08/08/2008
Apology Over Royal 'Cancer Scare'
The London Evening Standard has run a front page apology to the Duke of Edinburgh after publishing a story that alleged he had prostate cancer.
Buckingham Palace said that the front page report was a "serious breach" of his privacy.
In a statement, the palace said that "members of the Royal Family have a right to privacy, particularly in relation to their personal health".
The Evening Standard said that Prince Philip, 87, had been diagnosed while being treated for a chest infection in April.
The story entitled 'Prince Philip Defies Cancer Scare' appeared in an afternoon edition of London's Evening Standard newspaper earlier this week.
In the report, a cancer specialist claimed that it was an "open secret" in the medical community that Prince Philip had cancer.
Today, the paper's apology read: "In the Evening Standard of 6 August we stated that the Duke of Edinburgh had been diagnosed as suffering from cancer of the prostate.
"We now accept that the story was untrue and that he is not suffering from any such condition. We unreservedly apologise."
The Standard is also running the apology on its website.
BBC News Royal Correspondent Nicholas Witchell said the apology was an "embarrassing climbdown" for the Evening Standard.
On Wednesday the palace complained to the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) on behalf of Prince Philip after the standard published its story.
The PCC said in a statement: "The process has been quick: the final settlement was negotiated less than 36 hours after the original complaint was made.
"In contrast with some legal actions, it has involved no further private details - which in this case would have related to Prince Philipâ's health - being released into the public domain.
"The apology has been prominent and proportionate. And the PCC costs nothing to use.
"The article under complaint has been removed from the newspaper's website and replaced with the text of the apology, which appears on the homepage and then will be archived permanently."
Since April, the Prince has attended a series of official engagements, including a trip to Ghana.
(DS)
Buckingham Palace said that the front page report was a "serious breach" of his privacy.
In a statement, the palace said that "members of the Royal Family have a right to privacy, particularly in relation to their personal health".
The Evening Standard said that Prince Philip, 87, had been diagnosed while being treated for a chest infection in April.
The story entitled 'Prince Philip Defies Cancer Scare' appeared in an afternoon edition of London's Evening Standard newspaper earlier this week.
In the report, a cancer specialist claimed that it was an "open secret" in the medical community that Prince Philip had cancer.
Today, the paper's apology read: "In the Evening Standard of 6 August we stated that the Duke of Edinburgh had been diagnosed as suffering from cancer of the prostate.
"We now accept that the story was untrue and that he is not suffering from any such condition. We unreservedly apologise."
The Standard is also running the apology on its website.
BBC News Royal Correspondent Nicholas Witchell said the apology was an "embarrassing climbdown" for the Evening Standard.
On Wednesday the palace complained to the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) on behalf of Prince Philip after the standard published its story.
The PCC said in a statement: "The process has been quick: the final settlement was negotiated less than 36 hours after the original complaint was made.
"In contrast with some legal actions, it has involved no further private details - which in this case would have related to Prince Philipâ's health - being released into the public domain.
"The apology has been prominent and proportionate. And the PCC costs nothing to use.
"The article under complaint has been removed from the newspaper's website and replaced with the text of the apology, which appears on the homepage and then will be archived permanently."
Since April, the Prince has attended a series of official engagements, including a trip to Ghana.
(DS)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.